Herbert Chapman

It is fitting to start off the slideshow with the man who laid the groundwork for Arsenal Football Club to become what it is today; Herbert Chapman.

The English tactician was enjoying success as manager of Huddersfield Town until Arsenal chairman Henry Norris lured Chapman away. Chapman signed on to be the manager of Arsenal in the summer of 1925.

Chapman, almost immediately, led the Gunners to a trophy. Arsenal took the pitch at Wembley to face Cardiff City in the 1927 FA Cup final. But the team was no yet good enough.

Fast forward three years. In an ironic matchup, Arsenal face Huddersfield Town in the 1930 FA Cup final. The Gunners are making their second Wembley visit in three years, and this one proves to be successful.

After 17 minutes, Alex James puts Arsenal 1-0 up after some neat interplay with Cliff Bastin. Huddersfield Town would never equalize. Arsenal became FA Cup Champions with a scoreline of 2-0.

Chapman died unexpectedly in 1934 of pneumonia at the age of 55.

However, despite his early departure, the Englishman still left his mark on football. It is a mark that can still be seen today in the form of Arsenal Football Club.

In just eight years, Chapman had guided Arsenal to three First Division titles, one FA Cup and four FA Charity Shields.

Emmanuel Petit

Emmanuel Petit was recruited away from Monaco by Arsene Wenger. Petit would finish his Arsenal career after making 118 appearances and scoring 11 goals.

Petit was instrumental in Arsenal's midfield. Although originally a defender, the Frenchman transitioned into the midfield, and became a vital cog.

Were it not for Petit, Patrick Vieira may well not be the amazing player that we all remember him as.

Although Petit was a fantastic passer of the ball, his key attributes were his footballing brain and his dominance.

Petit demonstrated strength in the midfield that made the defenders work much easier. Perhaps the No. 17 that allowed Alex Song to fulfill the role that he does today, Petit was a vital player in his time at Arsenal.

Petit would leave Highbury for Barcelona in the year 2000. However, in his three years at Arsenal the Frenchman was a champion of the Premier League, an FA Cup and two FA Charity Shields.

Lee Dixon

Lee Dixon is a player that epitomizes what it is to be a Gunner. The English right-back enjoyed six years in football with four different teams before moving to Highbury.

After two years at Stoke City, Dixon moved to Arsenal in the January transfer window of 1988 after Viv Anderson departed for Manchester United.

Dixon would finish his career with an astounding 619 appearances for the Gunners, and 28 goals. The Englishman was an attacking full-back that featured perfectly in Arsene Wenger's plans once the Frenchman took over in 1996.

A great attacking player, and a phenomenal defender, Dixon instilled in the No. 2 shirt a legacy that may be impossible to overtake.

In his 14 years with Arsenal Dixon won four First Division titles, three FA Cups, one League Cup, three FA Charity Shields and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He was also voted into the 1990 PFA team of the year.

Alan Smith

Alan Smith endured a rough start to his Arsenal career. After making the move from Leicester City in 1987, the English International had a rough first season with the Gunners.

The following season, however, Smith came out with a bang, and proved to everyone that manager George Graham was right to trust him. Smith scored a hat trick in the opening game of the 1988-1989 season.

In his eight year Arsenal career Smith made 347 appearances for the Gunners, and banged in 115 goals. He won the English Golden boot twice.

His Arsenal side was the winner of two First Division titles, one FA Cup, one League Cup, one UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and a FA Charity Shield.

Smith's achievements at the club cannot be denied. He was a signing that truly gave an impact to his Arsenal side.

Charlie Nicholas

If nothing else, Charlie Nicholas represents a player that brought excitement back to Highbury, at a time in which excitement was scarce.

Charlie Nicholas was purchased from Celtic in the summer of 1983. He carried the price tag of £800,000, but that was money well spent as far as the Highbury faithful were concerned.

In his four year career Nicholas made 184 appearances for the Gunners and netted 54 goals. Unfortunately, the only trophy to his name is the 1987 League Cup.

Inconsistency and off-the-pitch extravagance led to Nicholas becoming English Football's answer to Keith Moon, as evidenced by Nicholas' nickname, Champagne Charlie.

Nonetheless, Nicholas offered flair and excitement to an Arsenal side that was going through a transitional period. His performances in the North London Derby helped endear him to the Arsenal faithful.

Sol Campbell

It takes a brave man to make the switch from Tottenham to Arsenal. Sol Campbell, not only made the switch, but became an Arsenal favorite after doing so.

The English International became one of the Premier centre-backs in England during his time at Arsenal. In his five years at the club, Campbell made 197 appearances and scored 11 goals.

The previous numbers do no include Campbell's brief return to the club in 2010.

Campbell started out his Arsenal career fantastically. In his first season with the Gunners the Englishman and his club won the Premier League and FA Cup.

Campbell was also a member of the infamous "Invincible" side of 2003-2004.

Campbell finished his Arsenal career with two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two FA Community Shields.

Campbell was also a member of the Arsenal team that made it to the UEFA Champions League final.

Campbell's fantastic defensive efforts helped Arsenal enjoy their most successful period in history. He is a legend for the Gunners and will go down in infamy for his exploits while wearing an Arsenal shirt.

Kanu

Kanu's transition to Arsenal is one that is full of interesting twists. The Nigerian made just 12 appearances in three years for Inter Milan because of a heart defect.

After having an aortic valve Kanu made the switch to Arsenal. The Nigerian was brought in to replace Nicolas Anelka, who had just left for Real Madrid.

Kanu's transition to North London was rough, but the Nigerian quickly realized his role for the Gunners. A scorer of some fantastic goals, and a great orchestrator of play, the Nigerian became a Highbury favorite.

Perhaps his most immortalizing Arsenal moment came in his first season with the Gunners. While visiting London-rivals Chelsea, Kanu scored an impressive 17-minute hat trick at Stamford Bridge.

In his five-year career with Arsenal Kanu made 198 appearances and scored 44 goals. He also was the recipient of two Premier League titles and two FA Cups.

Marc Overmars

Marc Overmars enjoyed a brief, but successful, three year stint with the Gunners beginning in 1997. The Dutch midfielder made the move from Ajax in the summer of 1997.

After enjoying success with Ajax, Overmars had a run of injury problems that discouraged other teams from moving for the Dutchman.

So often has been the case, Arsene Wenger went ahead and made a gamble that paid off. From the midfield, Overmars netted 41 goals in 142 games.

The key attribute that the Dutch International brought to the team was speed. Overmars' blistering pace added an entirely new dimension to the Gunners.

Overmars helped the Gunners win the Premier League and FA Cup double in the 1997-1998 season, which was Wenger's first full season in charge.

After that season Overmars became injury ravaged once again. In 2000, Wenger decided it would be best to let the Dutchman go. Barcelona purchased Overmars for a fee that made him the most expensive Dutch player in history.

Although his career was short, no one can overestimate Overmars' contribution in the 1997-1998 season. He truly was spectacular.

Robert Pires

Robert Pires started his Arsenal career in a difficult fashion. He stepped into a role that was once occupied by Marc Overmars.

The shadow left by the Duthcman's departure may have unnerved a different player. But Pires was a revelation in the Arsenal midfield.

The Frenchman made the switch from Marseille to Arsenal in 2000 for a fee of £6 million. After a slow start and rough adaptation to the English game, Pires finally arrived during his second season in North London.

Pires possessed incredible vision, and a goalscoring ability that helped him become a favorite of the Arsenal faithful.

Aaron Ramsey would be the current Arsenal squad member that comes to mind in comparison. Although Ramsey has yet to show the jaw-dropping ability that Pires had possessed.

Pires enjoyed a solid six year career in North London. He scored 84 goals in 284 appearances for the Gunners.

By the time he was through with the Gunners, he had two Premier League titles and two FA Cups as well.

Patrick Vieira

It is difficult to describe Patrick Vieira's contribution to Arsenal Football Club in a succinct fashion. The Frenchman arrived at the club at the same time as Arsene Wenger.

If only the world knew what impacts those two would end up having on the club.

If given one word to describe Vieira, imposing would be the most fitting. Vieira's strength helped him hold off defenders, and his ability was such that enabled him to flick a pass forward to get the Gunners attack moving.

Vieira is the player that Arsenal fans have been missing ever since his departure from the club in 2005.

In his nine year Arsenal career, the French International made 406 appearances and scored 33 goals.

He was at the heart of the 2003-2004 "invincible," team. His success at Arsenal can be seen by his trophy list.

Vieira won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

The Highbury faithful always loved Vieira, and he is a Gunner that will forever be cemented as one of the best signings in Arsenal history.

Dennis Bergkamp

There are not enough superlatives in the world to describe Dennis Bergkamp's contribution to Arsenal. The Dutch midfielder left his mark on the club by creating an endless amount of goals.

He didn't always score them. But it was, more often than not, his incredible vision that set them up.

The Dutch International made the move to North London after a two year stint with Inter Milan. Bergkamp arrived at Highbury in 1995 for a fee of £7.5 million. Pennies compared to what he was worth to the Gunners.

Bergkamp was the heart behind Arsene Wenger's new-look Arsenal. He vision and footballing intelligence would be key into helping Arsenal achieve what it did.

In his 11 years at the club Bergkamp made 423 appearances and scored 120 goals. He was in the 2003-2004 "invincible," squad. If it was a major deal for Arsenal in the last two decades, chances are Bergkamp was there.

When the Dutchman departed North London in 2006, he had three Premier League titles and three FA Cups to his name.

Thierry Henry

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It's the one name that everyone knew would be in this slideshow. Thierry Henry personified Arsenal in his time at the club. He became the face of the club, and it would be false to say that it was unwarranted.

Henry arrived in North London after an estimated £11 million transfer from Juventus in the summer of 1999.

In his eight years at the club, Henry went on to score 226 goals in 380 appearances. When he left, he was Arsenal's all-time leading goal scorer. The same is true today.

Henry's strength, technique and pace made him a nightmare for defenders.

The Frenchman has four Premier League Golden Boots to his name. Along with those he has two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

Henry is said to be the best player in the history of Arsenal Football Club. While that claim is bold, it is difficult to refute.

Thierry Henry was instrumental in the success of Arsenal during his time in North London.

But even with all of his records and accolades, there is still one man that was a better signing than Henry.